Ministry Statements and Speeches 2008

UNGA 63: Third Committee: Rights of the Child: Presenting the Resolution on the Committee on the Rights of the Child (L.46*) for Action

Statement by Nicky Hill, NZ Representative, 25 November 2008

On behalf of Uruguay and New Zealand and the sponsors of this resolution, I am pleased to present for action the resolution on the Committee on the Rights of the Child L.46*.

This is a procedural resolution that enables the Committee to implement a temporary measure to reduce the back-log of treaty body reports.   The resolution authorises the Committee to meet in parallel chambers on a temporary basis.  The resolution further requests an evaluation by the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights to assist States’ consideration of a longer term solution to the backlog of treaty body reports.

I am further pleased to advise that it is our expectation that this resolution should be adopted without a vote.   As a result of this understanding, the sponsors present one oral amendment to the text, as presented during informal negotiations.  That amendment is available in the room and would be as follows:

OP2.    Decides, as an exceptional and temporary measure, to authorize the Committee to meet in parallel chambers, of nine members each, for 10 working days of each of its four three regular sessions and five working days of its pre-sessional meeting weeks between October 2009 and January 2011 October 2010, for the purposes of considering the reports of the States Parties submitted under article 44 of the Convention, and articles 8 and 12 of its Optional Protocols taking due account of equitable geographical distribution and of the principal legal systems,

The amendment brings the temporary measure into line with the UNGA reporting cycle: the temporary measure would conclude in October 2010 and the evaluation by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights would be considered by the GA in October 2010.  Next steps to consider the back-log would be considered at that time.

Mr Chair,

Adopting this resolution without a vote reflects the General Assembly’s strong and enduring commitment to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to the work of the Committee.  We extend our thanks to all delegations that have readily supported this resolution.

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